Program to honor 50th anniversary of March on Washington

As the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington approaches, a Thomasville organization is preparing to commemorate the event this weekend focusing on the same message of freedom and justice.

BY DENEESHA EDWARDSThe Dispatch

As the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington approaches, a Thomasville organization is preparing to commemorate the event this weekend focusing on the same message of freedom and justice.On Aug. 28, 1963, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led close to 250,000 people in the monumental event that highlighted joblessness and protested discrimination and economic inequality faced by African-Americans. The event is also where King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The Martin Luther King Social Action Committee and the United Cornerstone School of Divinity will host the community observance of the historic march to celebrate the progress and highlight pressing issues going on with the state government, said Dr. George Jackson, chairman of MLK-SAC and the president of the United Cornerstone School of Divinity. Jackson is also the founding pastor of the Citadel of Faith Christian Fellowship.He said due to the organization not being able to travel to Washington for commemorative activities, members wanted to have something local for community members to attend."It's the 50th anniversary of one of the most important events of the last century," Jackson said. Festivities will begin at the United Cornerstone School of Divinity at 7 JW Thomas Way at 4:30 p.m. where participants will walk to the Pace Park Amphitheater at 8 Memorial Park Drive. For those who do not want to march, Jackson said they can just come to the amphitheater. The program will take place at 5 p.m.There will be music, gospel singing, liturgical dancing and speakers. A re-enactment of King's iconic speech will take place. Jackson will deliver a message. He invites residents who witnessed the march in person or on television to come share their story with others. "I hope everyone comes," Jackson said. "It's a family event. Regardless of political stance or ethnicity, it's for everybody."In some ways, the event is not purely commemorative but about unfinished business, Jackson said. He said things seem to be reversing from the progress that has been made over the years. Jackson said North Carolina has one of the highest unemployment rates in the United States, which is above the national average of 8.9 percent.He also noted the controversial voting bill signed by Gov. Pat McCrory that shortens the early voting period and requires citizens to show voter IDs to vote and the shutting down of precincts by county election boards. He made reference to Watauga County, which recently eliminated an early voting site and election day polling precinct on the campus of Appalachian State University as well as a second voting site that's near the school."These are the times we should be making strides to making things accessible," he said. "They are making voting difficult. It seems like state legislators are trying to find ways to keep people from voting. I think legislators are turning back our freedom. We couldn't let this happen and let Davidson County act like they're not involved."The MLK-SAC was established in 1993 with a goal focusing on the nonviolent elimination of injustice, discrimination, poverty and racism. Nationally a march tracing the historic route will take place in Washington, D.C., Wednesday where President Barack Obama will address the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. "I can't overlook the progress we have made. We're on the road of trying to make things possible," Jackson said.Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

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